Gerfaut -- Volume 4

rfaut and the artist. The day passed slowly and tediously. Aline had been vexed, somewhat estranged from her sister-in-law sin

Octave-who, on account of these different complications, might have spent a continual tete-a-tete with her had she been so inclined. Christian's absence, instead of being a signal of deliverance for the lovers, seemed to have created a new misunderstanding, for Clemence felt that it would be a mean action to abuse the liberty her husband's departure gave her. She was thus very reserved during the day, when she felt

ince she had gone to him as one passes over to the enemy, and, in her heart, had taken part with the lover against th

found it made of iron and turning more and more into a tyrannical yoke, she called to her aid the conjugal divinities, but in too faint a voice to be heard. Now the situation had changed again. Christian was no longer the insignif

the threads of her life in his hands; he was the dispenser of her fortune, the judge of her actions, and the master of their fireside. She had no dignity except through him. If he should withdraw his support for

thought of the impossibility of happiness to which a deplorable fatality condemned her. Marriage and love struggled for existence, both powerless to conquer, and qualified o

a book, thinking that perhaps it might aid her in going to sleep. As she opened the door leading into the closet adjoining her parlor, she saw by the light of the candle which she held in her hand something which shone like a precious stone l

t have left this sign of his presence; it meant that he could enter her room at his will; what he had done once, he could certainly do again! The terror which this thought gave her dissipated like a dash of co

uddenly a thought of the little corridor door struck her; she remembered that this door was not usually locked because the one from the library was always closed; she knew that Octave had a key to the latter, and she readily understood how he had

dmit the discovery of the pin, and of course to return it to him, for she had resolved to keep it. She had always had a particular fancy for this pin, but she would never have dared to ask him for it, and besides, it was the fact that Octave usually wore it that made it of infinite value to h

" said she; "but how can I wear

she heard a slight noise, which petri

d hear nothing but the beating of her heart; then she heard the other noise again, and more distinctly. Somebody was turning the handle of the door, trying to open it. The unexpe

he stairs and drew the bolt. The door opened softly and closed with the same precaution. The lamp from the parlor threw a feeble light upon the upper steps of the staircase, but the lower ones were in complete darkness. It was with her heart rather than her eyes that she

s cheeks and took away, for the time being, his ordinary assurance. He sought in vain for a speech which might first justify him and then conquer her. He had recourse to a method often employed in the absence of eloquence. He fell on his knee

disgu

ed, drawing himself

, "I ought to say scorn instead of disgust. You deceived

med, with vehemence; "what p

you say? I will accept only one:

e seized her in his arms

er me to kill myself at your feet,

herself, but although she used all h

d, feebly, "but I abhor you; rather

ich she spoke these words; he released her, but as he remo

" she murmured, as she fell in

on from her neck, which seemed to trouble her respiration, more adroitly than did Octave. In spite of his anxiety, he could not repress a smile as he recognized the pin which he hardly expected to find upon Clemence's neck, considering the hostile way in which she had greeted him. He knelt before her and bathed her temples with cold water, making her also inhale some salts which he found upon the toilet table in t

me your pin,

have yours?" he rep

oving voice; "tell me again that you

u like me to be near you?" he said, with a ha

g of you! stay

feared he might leave her. Suddenly she sat up, opene

that you are here? Ah! this is dreadful indeed

elicious abandon, changed Octave

away from me so soon? Since you love me only in your dreams, I beg of you to go to sleep again and n

with hesitation, a deep blush

bad augury, increased Octave's irritat

ing or charming they may have been; they told me that you loved me. I do not beli

crossed her arms over her breast and ga

tible?" she asked at last; "you are the only

like ice in the sun's rays. He fell upon his knees before the divan, and tried to pass her arms

g her. "Everybody else can sit beside you; I only have

f her hands, and, raising her finger

ofit by my kindness, which allows you to sit by my side for a moment. Think that I might be mor

moment and looked at

; "but would you have t

e half-open door. Gerfaut followed her glance, and saw that she accorded him only a quarter of an hour: but he was too cle

pricious to-day; you must pardon me, it is a family

d: Amour de Gerfaut,

I am sad and weary; the darkest visions come before my mind. I think it is the storm which

life would be perfect. What matters the storm? and even if you do see an omen in it, what is there so very terrible? Clouds are

asked Madame de Bergenheim, as she ga

at did you t

ken it into her head to come down stairs

ch she carefully locked; a moment later, she r

d Octave; "I should not have ventured i

hand and placed

tell you that I am fright

med, as he felt her he

l at the same time. It is an unworthy thought, but I'll confess that, sometimes, when I suffer so, I wish I were like them. But it is impossible; I was not made for wrong-doing. You can not understand this, you are a man; you love boldly, you indulge in every thought that seems sweet to you without be

s which she could not restrain; he saw them,

sionately; "but do not distress me by te

s is my treasure! To be loved by you! To think that there was a time when our love might have been legitimate! What fat

eeing Madame de Bergenheim anxiously listening again. They kept silent for a

lways, without fearing that a stroke of lightning might separate us! to give you my heart and st

e, lest you destroy our present happiness, that which is beyond our power. Do you think there are bonds which can more stro

il the day I received it from your eyes; since that minute I have lived, and I can die. I lov

e words. She remained thus for an instant, then arose with a start, seized Octave's han

m lo

tible movement of the muslin curtain was evident. At the same moment, there was a slight noise, a ste